Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

We have heard from Senators Fitzgerald, White, O'Toole and Boyle. The most urgent need in restoring faith in the economy is to restore faith in the banking system. The lack of credit is at the heart of this. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow us to have a debate on banking today. It is urgent because, no matter what is being said, the opposite is happening. There is a form of creeping nationalisation which is totally at variance with the Government's promises. The State, by stealth or otherwise, is increasing its shareholding in the two major banks. I am aware this has to do with the Commission's ruling on state aid but the question is when will Brussels speak definitively on the matter. The plans of the banks were laid before the Commission in December and the ECB president, Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet-----